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Geology of Phosphate Rock in China: Distribution, Rock Type and Metallogenic Perspective

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Geology of Phosphate Rock in China: Distribution, Rock Type and Metallogenic Perspective 91 Geology of Phosphate Rock in China: Distribution, Rock Type and Metallogenic Perspective * Gang HE and Yongju ZHOU Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences 388, Lumo Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, 430074, China *e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Phosphate rock (PR) is an important strategic material, providing the non-renewable elemental resource phosphorus (P). From the view of geosciences, PR can actually be seen as a special rock rich in the element P. Many studies have reported on PR distribution, but there is little predictive geological research from a metallogenic perspective on the causes of phosphate ore distribution. This paper reviews research on the origin and geological features of the mineralization distribution of phosphate ore resources in China, intro- duces the main types of P-containing rocks and/or deposits in China, and provides a good understanding of the mode of occurrence, geological setting and phosphogenesis of China’s phosphate resources. It forms an invaluable aid to the search for, and exploitation of, new P resources in China. Key words: China, geology, metallogenic perspective, phosphate resources, phosphate rock, rock type 1. Introduction deposits. The largest sedimentary deposits are found in northern Africa, China, the Middle East and the United Phosphate rock (PR) is the only significant global re- States. Significant igneous occurrences are found in source that contains phosphorus (P). Phosphate rock is Brazil, Canada, Finland, Russia and South Africa. Large considered an important strategic resource, and is phosphate resources have been identified on the conti- non-renewable. PR is a fossil resource, regenerated very nental shelves and seamounts in the Atlantic and Pacific slowly and requiring geological time spans for its oceans. The distribution of phosphate resources in these regeneration. Once phosphate resources are mined and countries and regions is relatively concentrated, e.g., the used, it will be difficult to get by with simple recycling of phosphate resources in only five provinces of China ac- phosphorus. PR resources are age-old, their metallogenic counted for 76.3% of Chinese phosphate resources, in conditions are extremely complicated, and they are terms of quantity. The commercial deposits in the United characterized by non-renewability. In general, PR re- States are all marine phosphorites that were formed under serves are materials that can be economically produced at warm, tropical conditions in shallow plateau areas where the present time using existing technology. Phosphate upwelling water could collect. Over 70 percent of the U.S. rock resources include reserves and any other materials reserve base is located in Florida and North Carolina of interest that are not reserves. Almost all countries in (Stowasser and Fantel, 1985). There are also large the world have many PR deposits, but only a few have the phosphate deposits in some western states. economic significance of large state-owned phosphate China has rich PR resources, and is one of the main P resources. According to recent statistical data (USGS, producing countries of the world. Its total PR resources 2014), the annual world PR production capacity was are extremely large, but are unequally distributed geo- projected to increase from 228 million tons in 2013 to graphically and a large proportion cannot be mined on an about 260 million tons in 2017. The largest increases in economic scale at present. It is important to find new P capacity were expected from projects in Brazil, China, resources, and more important to understand where they Morocco, Peru and Saudi Arabia. Other significant can be found. development projects were planned or in progress in The world phosphate resource distribution is related Algeria, Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Namibia, Russia, to the origins of geological and natural environments. Togo and Tunisia. Fillippelli (2008) has estimated that Although some studies exist on phosphate resource there is in total about 18 billion tons of PR available in distribution (Arthur et al., 2005; Chang et al., 2010; Xue high grade deposits, 25 billion tons of PR in low grade et al., 2011; Wen, 2011), it is still worth looking at the deposits and 50 billion tons of PR in ultra-low grade geologist’s research to get a good understanding of the Global Environmental Research ©2015 AIRIES 19/2015: 91-96 printed in Japan 92 G. HE and Y. ZHOU modes of occurrence, geological settings and phospho- time hardens into rock. Generally, sedimentary rock is genesis of the world’s phosphate resources. It forms an fairly soft and may break apart or crumble easily. You can invaluable aid in the search for and exploitation of often see sand, pebbles or stones in the rock, and it is phosphate deposits. In this paper, based on basic theories usually the only type that contains fossils. Examples of on geological rock formation, we review the research on this rock type include conglomerate and limestone. the origins and geological features of the mineralization Sedimentary rocks can also form through the accumula- distribution of phosphate ore resources from a geological tion and lithification of organic remains. The most com- perspective, introduce the main rock types of P rocks mon example is coral reefs, which develop underwater, and/or deposits in China, and provide suggestive predic- surrounding the coasts of many temperate seas. Many tions for exploration in the search of new P resources. limestone rocks also originate this way; they are made of calcium carbonate (calcite) or calcium and magnesium 2. Basic Geological Theories on Rock (dolomite). Because of their porous consistency, they Formation often serve as repositories for fossil fuels, which are also of organic origin. Other rocks, like coquina, form through Geology refers to the nature and features of the earth. the accumulation of fragments of marine shells, lithified It comprises the study of the earth’s material composition, over time as materials filled and cemented their inter- structure, development history (including the earth stices. sphere differentiation), physical properties, chemical Metamorphic rocks form under the surface of the properties, rock properties, mineral composition, rock earth from the metamorphosis (change) that occurs due to occurrence, contact relationship, tectonic evolution his- intense heat and pressure (squeezing). Metamorphic tory, biological evolution history, climate change history, rocks are tough, with straight or curved layers (foliation) mineral resource status and distribution, etc. of light and dark minerals, and they come in various Stone, as we usually call it, is more properly called colors, often glittery with mica. The rocks that result “rock” as a geo-scientific term. Rock is a natural output from these processes often have ribbon-like layers and with a certain structure of mineral aggregates, and is may have shiny crystals, formed by minerals growing made of crustal or upper mantle materials. Most rocks are slowly over time on their surfaces. composed of several kinds of minerals, such as granite PR is an imprecise term that describes naturally (which includes orthoclase, quartz, biotite, etc.), while occurring geologic materials (minerals) that contain a the rest type of rocks are of single mineral composition, relatively high concentration of P. The term PR is used to such as marble which only includes calcite. Different describe raw (unbeneficiated) phosphate ores, but may types of rocks can be distinguished based on their luster, also be applied to beneficiated or concentrated products, density and hardness, among other properties. A geode and then, it can actually be seen as special rocks rich in P. looks like a common rock on the outside, but when it is Therefore, based on geological theory and modern cut in half, a fantastic range of colors and shapes can be metallogenic theory, starting from the geological tectonic revealed. Several classes of rocks can also be grouped environment and the actual situation of known deposits, according to how they formed, giving us the categories of through the analysis of existing PR characteristics, one igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Most can understand the principle of mineralization conditions characteristics of rocks depend on their constituent of P ore. Taking this as the premise, we can carry on the minerals (Pellant, 2002). The differences among them explanation of P ore resources, by using the geological, have to do with how they formed. geophysical, geochemical and other data from multiple Igneous rocks are formed from magma or lava. They disciplines, deepening the understanding of the geologi- are tough, frozen melts with little texture or layering; in cal and metallogenic regularity of P ore resources, and color, they consist of mostly black, white and/or gray compile a comprehensive predictive information map minerals; and they may look like granite or lava. Igneous system of mineral P ore resources. Further, we can ana- rocks can be classified according to their composition. lyze potential mineral resources and provide a prospect- This classification takes into particular account the rela- ing evaluation to guide prospectors, giving them clear tive proportions of silica, magnesium and iron minerals directions for practical exploration. This is of great found in these types of rocks; their grain size (which significance to the expansion of mineral P resources. reveals how fast they cooled); and their color. Rocks that contain silica, along with much quartz and feldspar, tend 3. The Main Characteristics of Phosphate to have pale colors; those with low silica content have Rock Resources in China dark colors created by iron and magnesium-containing minerals, such as olivine, pyroxene and amphiboles. A Marine sedimentary PR is the class of phosphate- rock’s texture is determined by the configuration of its resource-bearing rocks most widely distributed in the crystal grains. world. The world’s largest sedimentary phosphate de- Sedimentary rocks are formed from particles of sand, posits are found in northern Africa, China, the Middle shells, pebbles and other fragments of material.
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